The weblog of Norman Geras

July 27, 2006

The Momma 'n' Daddy Collection 65

You thought I'd forgotten. Would I do such a thing, depriving you of your Momma 'n' Daddy fix? I would never. Here's one to tell you what I'm sure you already know: that the big M and D can have a shaping influence on how you come to see things and how you conduct yourself in later life. That, anyway, is what The Magnetic Fields are saying with 'Papa Was A Rodeo':

I like your twisted point of view, Mike
I like your questioning eyebrows
You've made it pretty clear what you like
It's only fair to tell you now

That I leave early in the morning
And I won't be back till next year
I see that kiss-me pucker forming
But maybe you should plug it with a beer, cause

Chorus
Papa was a rodeo - Mama was a rock'n'roll band
I could play guitar and rope a steer before I learned to stand
Home was anywhere with diesel gas - Love was a trucker's hand
Never stuck around long enough for a one night stand
Before you kiss me you should know
Papa was a rodeo

The light reflecting off the mirror ball
Looks like a thousand swirling eyes
They make me think I shouldn't be here at all
You know, every minute someone dies

What are we doing in this dive bar
How can you live in a place like this
Why don't you just get into my car
And I'll take you away I'll take that kiss now, but

Repeat chorus

And now it's 55 years later
We've had the romance of the century
After all these years wrestling gators
I still feel like crying when I think of what you said to me

Repeat chorus

What a coincidence, your Papa was a rodeo too

It wasn't home like others have sung it, but it's still a lasting reference point for the rodeo-rock'n'roll band child.

[The Momma 'n' Daddy Archive, containing all the details of the series, is here.]